CONNECTICUT OPERATION LIFESAVER (CTOL) is a free service that provides an active public education program. CTOL is dedicated to preventing and reducing incidents at highway-rail grade crossings, and to make the public more aware of the dangers encountered when trespassing on railroad property. We are part of a national program known as "OPERATION LIFESAVER" (OL). Both CTOL and OL are non-profit organizations.

Hundreds of people are killed and thousands are seriously injured each year in the United States at highway-rail grade crossings and at other locations along railroad tracks. Many people are unaware that trains cannot stop quickly to avoid collisions. Others take chances by ignoring warning signs and signals, going around lowered gates, stopping on tracks, or simply not paying attention when approaching highway-rail grade crossings. Many people make the fatal mistake of choosing railroad tracks as shortcuts or as places to walk or run for recreation. They simply don't realize how quickly a train can be there until it's too late and there's no escape. Unfortunately, on the average of every 90 minutes somewhere in the United States, there is an incident at a crossing or along a railroad right-of-way. Operation Lifesaver programs educate the public by providing vital information so these tragedies can be reduced and prevented.

Free safety presentations which include a talk with colorful visuals and informative videos are given to any group, business or organization ( schools, youth groups, truck and bus companies, civic clubs, utility companies, corporations, etc.). You will learn many surprising and important facts about trains and what they can and cannot do. Our certified presenters tailor their presentations to meet your schedule and needs. Presentations vary in length from 20 minutes to 2 hours depending upon your group's time limitations. Presentations are also tailored to specific types of groups and age levels. For example, we have special programs and videos for school bus drivers, professional truck drivers, teens, children and others. A variety of videos ranging from cartoons to deadly crashes are used to help convey the Operation Lifesaver message.

In Connecticut you can call (860)594-2368 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or email to James.Peay@ct.gov. This will connect you with Mr. James A. Peay at the Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Public Transportation. Please give him your name, a contact phone number, date and time presentation is needed. This information will be forwarded to an Operation Lifesaver representative who will call you or the designated contact person and set up the presentation.

Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit nationwide program and is supported by national and state organizations, many of the nation's railroads, and affiliated industries. If you are located outside of the State of Connecticut and wish to receive information on your state's Operation Lifesaver program, please contact : Operation Lifesaver, Inc., at 1420 King Street, Suite 401, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, 1-800-537-6224, or at http://www.oli.org, they will be glad to provide you with the name and phone number of the State Coordinator in your area.

In 1972, a concerned Union Pacific Railroad employee, working with the support of many Idaho communities, established a state-wide public education program in an effort to reduce the numbers of crashes, injuries and fatalities occurring at highway-rail grade crossings. At the end of the first year the fatality rate in Idaho dropped by 39 percent. In 1973, the same education program was started in Nebraska. After a one-year period, Nebraska demonstrated even more impressive results----a 46 percent reduction in highway-rail grade crossing fatalities. In recent years, increased emphasis has been placed on reducing and preventing the injuries and fatalities caused by people trespassing on railroad property.

Operation Lifesaver is now active in the 49 continental United States and in parts of Canada. Since it's inception in 1972, this public education program has dramatically reduced injuries and fatalities. A cooperative effort involving education, engineering and enforcement are the three factors that continue to make this program successful. Education is provided by Operation Lifesaver certified volunteers. Engineering is provided by the professionals who are responsible for improving and maintaining the crossings. Enforcement is provided by your local and state law enforcement officials and railroad police officers who actively enforce the laws at crossings and along the railroad right-of-ways.